2025 – A Year of Change

The Dolomites are world-famous for their beauty – and precisely for that reason under pressure. Millions of visitors come each year to the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, which spans nine sub-areas. Hotspots such as Lago di Braies, the Three Peaks, or the Seceda ridgeline recorded up to 8,000 people on peak days – too many for nature, infrastructure, and local residents. From 2025, new measures focusing on regulation, limits, and sustainability will take effect.

Three Peaks & Lago di Braies – strictly limited access

The road to Rifugio Auronzo at the Three Peaks will be accessible between May 31 and October 12, 2025, only with prior online reservation or by shuttle bus 444. The daily visitor limit is 2,500 people. Those who violate this rule face fines starting from €100. The goal is to better manage crowds and protect the sensitive high-alpine area in the long term.

The Braies Valley will also remain closed to private traffic between July 10 and September 10, 2025. Access to Lago di Braies will be possible only via reserved shuttle or on foot. A maximum of 3,000 people per day may visit the lake, controlled through time slots and QR codes.

New pricing zones & entrance fees on popular panorama trails

Seiser Alm will continue to be closed to cars daily from 9 am to 5 pm. From Siusi, buses or the cable car are available. Starting summer 2025, an entrance fee of €5 will be charged for the Seceda ridgeline during high season – this also includes a private photo permit. Early arrivals may pay less thanks to dynamic pricing. Cable car tickets from Ortisei may also increase by up to 30% depending on demand – for example, during the Ferragosto week or sunrise rides.

CO₂ targets & mobility shift by 2030

A key lever is transport. The South Tyrol Mobilcard – available from €45 for three days – allows guests to use trains, buses, city buses, and cable cars. Travelers arriving by train and using shuttles or buses locally save up to 80% CO₂ compared to car travel. While a car trip from Munich to Bolzano produces around 55 kg of CO₂, traveling by train with shuttle reduces it to about 10 kg. South Tyrol’s declared goal: by 2030, emissions per guest should be cut in half.

Digital management & new visitor guidance

From 2025, digital systems will help manage visitor flows in real time. A central traffic-light system will display available time slots and remaining capacity in the booking tool. Dashboards will allow live monitoring of occupancy, weather, and closures – for example, for shuttle 444 to Rifugio Auronzo, the Braies bus, or the Seiser Alm shuttle. At entry points such as Seceda or Monte Specie, QR gates will be used. Some trails – such as the new panoramic trail at Prato Piazza – will feature turnstiles with automatic counting and integrated photo permits included in the price. The validity of the Mobilcard, current closures, parking availability, and live occupancy will in the future be shown via an interactive layered map.

FAQ – Sustainable Tourism & Visitor Limits Dolomites

How many people are allowed daily at the Three Peaks in 2025?
The limit is 2,500 daily visitors. Access is only possible with prior reservation or via official shuttle 444.

Is there again a valley closure at Lago di Braies?
Yes, in 2025 the Braies Valley will again be closed daily from July 10 to September 10. Access is only possible with shuttle and time-slot reservation.

How much does access to the Seceda ridgeline cost in high season?
The entrance fee is €5 per person, including a private photo permit. Prices vary depending on time and demand (dynamic pricing).

Is the UNESCO status of the Dolomites at risk?
Not yet – but UNESCO demands progress in visitor management. Measures such as quotas, time restrictions, and CO₂ targets are essential for the long-term preservation of the status.